Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction (August 2021)

Auction Details

Welcome to our August 2021 sale, the "Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction!"

Our August sale is full of “hot stuff” across the board, and features some of the best collections in their genre offered publicly in a long time.

*The “California” Collection of Native American Jewelry*
The California Native American jewelry collection includes nearly 400 lots of fine, artistic silver and turquoise jewelry from a major collection.

The group of Native American jewelry presented by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC, is from the collection of a long time California collector. Collecting over several decades, the collection features some incredible pieces—the main part of the collection is represented by bolos from Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico. There are also necklaces, bracelets, rings, belt buckles, and brooches. Much of this jewelry collection is “museum worthy art.”

The Zuni people are famous for their inlay—both mosaic inlay and channel inlay. The Zuni petit-point and needlepoint work in stones is just as well-known. The collection focuses on pieces from c1940s-60s. Some Zuni artists represented are: Dan Simplicio, Leo Poblano, Lambert Homer Sr., the Edaakies, Frank Vacit, Dexter Cellicion, Myra Tucson, Elliot Qualo, Annie Quam Gasper, Alonzo and Helen Hustito, Velma Lesansee, Horace Ilue, and many others. Most of the jewelry made before 1970 was not hallmarked. We have named the artists of each piece whenever possible, however, some are “attributed to,” and others we were unable to identify.

Many of the artists are presented in the books by Toshio Sei, published by Schiffer. Toshio Sei began collecting Zuni jewelry in 1993 and has written several books on the various forms of Zuni jewelry. Besides presenting the artists, he has done much research and gives detailed analyses that explain connections of artists and styles, thus giving us history and meanings for the pieces of jewelry. A number of the pieces offered here are illustrated in his books.

The “California” collection also includes jewelry from the Navajo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, and the Hopi. You will find amazing pieces of jewelry from all of these Native people and will have a difficult decision deciding on those to choose for your own collections!

For Western bolo tie collectors, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with the largest sale of its kind ever held.

*The Western Collections*
We received two major collections containing outstanding items--both for their visual appeal and historical importance.

The first centers around Arizona and Colorado ephemera (19th century photos and documents) related to major mining camps, supplemented by gorgeous oil paintings of Native American and Western scenes by Douglas Rosa. One of our favorites from this collection is a framed photo of Tombstone prostitute “Amelia” (in classic prostitute attire) with her business license.

The second Western collection includes incredible military items (highlighted below), rare Western postcards, and a fantastic library including rare firearms references.

*Militaria*
This section is phenomenal, highlighted by George Armstrong Custer’s holster and gun belt, which is accompanied by a long history. Added to this is a major collection related to the Mexican War and Pancho Villa, including a photo-diary by Arizona photographer Walter Horne. Of great interest will be the associated collections from the Prag Collection and others, rounding out a phenomenal section on the Civil War, Spanish American War, and both World Wars.

For the Firearm collector is a large library of historical books on guns, hunting and related, with some of the all-time key references. These complement a large collection of rare books. Exploration researchers will love the Arctic Exploration library and other early works on Western exploration.

*Ken Prag Collection*
Wow! There are three distinct parts of his collection in this sale: ephemera, postcards, and stocks.

First and foremost, most or all of the material is from his unsorted acquisitions for decades. We found amazing items here. Like the Bodie & Bridgeport Telegraph archive with a message about a failed robbery of the SF mint right after the earthquake!

There is a wealth of paper ephemera, particularly from California. The postcards (over 500 lots) are stunning, and among the best offered so far, with exceptionally rare views in both RPC and printed format. Large collections include California (incl. Tahoe and Yosemite) and Hawaii. Nearly every lot has great cards, and you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Pioneer cards? Hundreds of them. One of the sections we had the most fun with is the gaming section--postcards with a gaming or playing card theme. This collection is now in about 20 lots, comprised of hundreds of cards.

*Numismatics*
A large offering of foreign and US coins, medals, counters, and other exonumia. Includes a C. Bechtler Dollar; Carson City Mint morgans; a fantasy Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Goldfield Iron Strongbox; and a large selection of California and Western tokens and Good For mirrors (ex. Ron Lerch Collection).

*Other Highlights*
Stocks and Bonds: Another fantastic selection from
perhaps a dozen collections. Features rare Arizona pieces and foreign mining stocks from the Prag Collection.

Railroadiana: Another great batch of railroad passes from an incredible Western collection we have been selling over the past year and a half. Also, a rare Colorado railroad section, and a collection of Virginia & Truckee Railroad ephemera from the Prag Collection.


Auction Schedule

Day 1, Thursday, August 5th, 2021, Lots 1000-1605
*General Americana (Lots 1000-1605)
Geographic Sort (1000-1251)
World’s Fair & Expositions (1252-1286)
Gaming (1287-1311)
Bottles & Saloon (1312-1342)
Marbles & Toys (1343-1365)
Jewelry (1366-1421)
Clothing (1422-1452)
Music (1453-1465)
Miscellaneous incl. Photos, Furnishings, Ephemera (1466-1605)

Day 2, Friday, August 6th, 2021, Lots 2000-2596
*Transportation (2000-2153)
Railroad (2000-2119)
Aviation & Automobile (2120-2153)
*Philatelic (2154-2596)
Stamps & Covers (2154-2175)
Postcards (2176-2596)

Day 3, Saturday, August 7th, 2021, Lots 3000-3606
*Native Americana (3000-3387)
Jewelry (3000-3271)
Artifacts, Art, Baskets, Pottery (3272-3315)
Ephemera incl. Rare Photographs, Postcards, & Books (3316-3387)
*Military incl. Custer and Pancho Villa Collections (3388-3514)
Chronologically Sorted (Civil War, Spanish American, WWI, WWII, etc)
*Political (3515-3535)
*Firearms feat. Firearms & Weaponry Historical Books (3536-3606)

Day 4, Sunday, August 8th, 2021, Lots 4000-4606
*Cowboy & Western (4000-4040)
*Art (4041-4105)
*Mining (4106-4189)
*Stocks & Bonds (4190-4310)
*Numismatics (4311-4505)
*Tokens (4506-4606)

Day 5, Monday, August 9th, 2021, Lots 5000-5583
*General Books (5000-5072)
*Bargains & Dealer Specials (5073-5583)
General Americana (5073-5189)
Philatelic (5190-5408)
Stocks & Bonds (5409-5479)
Numismatics incl. Dies, Coins, Counters, & Tokens (5480-5583)
SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. Shipping and handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing as it is based on the size and weight of your purchase. Additional shipping and handling costs, if required, will be re-invoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size.SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size a...
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Commemorative Medals, Mostly British - 8 pieces  [138915]4450 - Commemorative Medals, Mostly British - 8 pieces [138915]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Eight commemorative medals, three celebrating the 60th Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897; one of the Duke and Duchess of Albany in 1882; 1902 King Edw
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 175.00
Sold to d*******f for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Foreign Medal Collection  [138819]4451 - Foreign Medal Collection [138819]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Diverse group of medals: 1) Peru / 1924 / 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Ayacucho / silver medalette, 15 mm, BU, mintage 2,000; 2) India / Rama Ta
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Foreign Medal Group  [138821]4452 - Foreign Medal Group [138821]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of medals from three countries: 1) Norway / 1972 / 100th Anniversary of birth of Haakon VII (1972), .925 silver, proof in original box, 40 mm, 45
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to G********a.. for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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U.S. Miniature Coins by Lauer  [137331]4453 - U.S. Miniature Coins by Lauer [137331]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 17 miniature coins replicating U.S. coins, made by Christopher Lauer as gaming counters .Ludwig Christopher Lauer was a celebrated medalist and
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Miniature Counters by Lauer & Cook  [137332]4454 - Miniature Counters by Lauer & Cook [137332]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Ludwig Christopher Lauer was a celebrated medallist and counter-manufacturer of Nuremberg, 1848-1873. This lot has over 60 miniature spiel markes base
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Mayer Minature Counter Collection  [135708]4455 - Mayer Minature Counter Collection [135708]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 23 tiny (13 mm) counters, attributed to B. H. Mayer. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Benjamin Fauver Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to M******m for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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British Mini Coin Collection, Fauver  [136538]4456 - British Mini Coin Collection, Fauver [136538]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fauver's mini coin collection of British coins. These wonderful tiny tokens were made by some of the most famous of the European die sinkers, es...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (1,100.00 + 275.00BP) = 1,375.00
 
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Miniature Counters of Belgium  [137333]4457 - Miniature Counters of Belgium [137333]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 50 miniature spiel markes resembling coins of Belgium. Two franc to twenty francs. Date: Country (if not USA): Belgium State: City:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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Miniature Counters of France, Spain and Switzerland  [137336]4458 - Miniature Counters of France, Spain and Switzerland [137336]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of over 100 miniature spiel markes made to resemble coins of France (36) , Spain ( 49) and Switzerland (72). Date: Country (if not USA)
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (180.00 + 45.00BP) = 225.00
 
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Miniature Counters of Germany, Austria & European Countries  [137337]4459 - Miniature Counters of Germany, Austria & European Countries [137337]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 100 miniature spiel markes fashioned after coins of Germany, Austria and other European countries. Date: Country (if not USA): State
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 500.00
Sold to j*****0 for (150.00 + 33.00BP) = 183.00
 
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Miniature Counters of Prussia  [137334]4460 - Miniature Counters of Prussia [137334]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 20 miniature spiel markes based on coins of Prussia. 2, 3, 5, 10 and 20 mark denominations. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Cit
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Miniature Counters of Sweden and Norway  [137335]4461 - Miniature Counters of Sweden and Norway [137335]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 18 miniature spiel markes based on coins from Sweden and Norway. One ore, 5 ore, 10 ore, 25 ore Date: Country (if not USA): State: City
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to M******m for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Counters by die sinker Hans Gross  [135711]4462 - Counters by die sinker Hans Gross [135711]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three counters attributed to Nuremburg die sinker Hans Gross. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Benjamin Fauver Co
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Counters of Damian Krawinkel Diesinker  [135702]4463 - Counters of Damian Krawinkel Diesinker [135702]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of ten counters attributed to Bavarian diesinker Damian Krawinckel. The Krauwinckels - the family of Nuremburg jeton masters: Hans Krauwinckel (
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Counters of France, Prussia and Russia  [135707]4464 - Counters of France, Prussia and Russia [135707]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 13 counters: Prussia (3); Russia (4); France (6). Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Benjamin Fauver Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Eagle Counter Collection  [135709]4465 - Eagle Counter Collection [135709]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 28 spiel marke counters with eagle reverses. Different sizes. Ex: Fauver collection. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provena
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to S***1 for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Kilian Koch Counters  [135706]4466 - Kilian Koch Counters [135706]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 15 counters attributed to Kilian Koch (c1587-1617) of Nuremburg. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Benjamin Fauver
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Edward VII Counters  [135701]4467 - Edward VII Counters [135701]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of eight counters with Edward VII and St. George and the Dragon. Two coronation medals from 1902. Two holed, two with loops. Edward was King 1901
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to W*******d for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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European Jetons (4)  [137498]4468 - European Jetons (4) [137498]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 French and 1 Swiss Jetons. (1) 1740-1750: Switzerland J. Dassier medal commemorating the Duillius’ Victory at Myle in the First Punic War.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 700.00
Sold to d*******f for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Continental Currency  [135225]4469 - Continental Currency [135225]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two pieces of Continental currency: one dollar: Fr. CC23, Feb. 17, 1776; 2) seven dollars. Fr. CC60, Feb. 26, 1777. 3 1/2 x 3 inches. Date: 1776 Co
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to A********S for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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